"There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what," Romney said. "All right -- there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent on government, who believe that, that they are victims, who believe that government has the responsibility to care for them. Who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing... [M]y job is not to worry about those people. I'll never convince them they should take personal responsibility and care for their lives."

But in the most recent polling, the damage appears to have made an impact. In the election-deciding swing states of Ohio, Virginia, and Florida -- states political pundits conjuncture are necessary for Romney to eek the increasingly fleeting prospect of an Electoral College win -- incumbent Barack Obama is currently leading beyond the margin of error.

While Romney's so-called "47 percent" includes a wide swath of Americans, it also includes many students we met at Miami-Dade College. As Romney campaigned in Miami, we asked students what they thought of Romney's comments:

"47 Percent" Respond To Romney's Claims

"47 Percent" Respond To Romney's Claims

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Alexa Portela

"Even people who are dependent on the government, they're not 100 percent; they're trying to make a living for themselves. And, people who rely on welfare aren't 100 percent like, 'Oh, I'm just going to sit on my butt all day and do nothing' -- there are some... who are trying to find a life for themselves. I think he was wrong for saying that."